Soto relinquished his belt earlier this month when Joe Warren knocked him out with a knee and punches at Bellator 30. It was his first professional setback.

Call said Soto likely will undergo a second surgery one year from now.

“The kind of surgery he’s having could cause some other problems like cataracts and things of that nature that have to be corrected,” he said. “They can’t all be done at the same time.

“There’s a good possibility that this is career impacting.”

Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said it’s been a rough stretch for Soto.

“On a human level, it’s heartbreaking,” Rebney said. “Joe Soto is a really good guy, and he lost his mom less than a year ago, who he had a very, very strong bond with. He lost his title in shocking upset fashion. Now he’s got a seriously torn retina, which could conceivably interfere with his fight career, which is a central focus of his life. It’s very sad. He’s a good kid and he deserves better.

“What I was looking forward to was Soto getting back in at 145, and having a chance to win out 145-pound tournament in season four and getting a shot at a rematch (with Warren). It just sucks. We’re going to do anything and everything we can do to help him.”

UFC middleweight Alan Belcher made headlines this past month when he suffered a detached retina while preparing for a fight with Demian Maia at UFC Fight Night 22. He was forced to withdraw from the contest and also faces an uncertain future.

Call said his fighter will evaluate career options after the second surgery is completed.

“It’s disappointing to happen to such a kid with so much talent, and so young,” he said. “But at the end of the day, things like your vision are more important than MMA.”

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